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Estate Planning

Getting an estate in order is mostly paperwork, but some of it depends on where you live. A handful of states levy their own estate or inheritance taxes, and a move can change which rules apply. This hub covers the documents, the beneficiary designations, and the state taxes.

Guides in progress

Using figures for 2025: state thresholds as of October 1, 2025, and the 2025 federal exemption of $13.99 million. Thresholds change yearly.

Which state estate taxes would reach this estate?

$0$5M$10M$15MOregon$1MRhode Island$1.8MMassachusetts$2MMinnesota$3MWashington$3MIllinois$4MDistrict of Columbia$4.87MMaryland$5MVermont$5MHawaii$5.49MMaine$7MNew York$7.16MConnecticut$13.99MFederal $13.99M (2025)

5 of the 13 jurisdictions with an estate tax would tax a $3.5M estate, but the federal estate tax would not.

Inheritance tax, paid by some heirs

  • Kentucky
  • Maryland
  • Nebraska
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania

Spouses are exempt in all five. Rates depend on the heir's relationship to the person who died. Maryland has both taxes.

State thresholds: Tax Foundation, Estate and Inheritance Taxes by State, 2025, compiled from state statutes. Federal basic exclusion amount for 2025: IRS. Iowa's inheritance tax ended January 1, 2025.

Guides in this hub

Guides are being added. This is what the hub covers, and what is published so far:

  • Wills and essential documentsPlanned
  • Beneficiary designationsPlanned
  • Estate and inheritance taxes by statePlanned
  • Planning for heirsPlanned

Connects to: Taxes

Estate and inheritance taxes are set state by state.

Federal estate tax reaches very few households. Several states tax estates at much lower thresholds, and which state's rules apply depends on where you live and where any real estate you own is located.